por debajo de la mesa
/poɾ debaxo de la mesa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "under the table" is translated into Spanish as por debajo de la mesa.
The idiom por debajo de la mesa is used to describe illegal or secretive transactions, such as bribes or unofficial payments.
Meaning: secretly (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the parts por (through/by), debajo de (under/below) and la mesa (the table).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal expression En negro, meaning "in black" (referring to unreported or undeclared work), is widely used in Spain and some Latin American countries. In Argentina, the expression en B refers to off-the-books or unrecorded activities.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, Spanish speakers use the word sobremesa to describe the time spent talking around the table after a meal has finished.
- The word debajo is an unexpected relative of the English word 'debase'. Both words share a common root in the Latin bassus, which refers to something low.
Examples in context
- El empleado aceptó el dinero en negro para no tener que declararlo.The employee accepted the money under the table to avoid declaring it.
- Le pagaron dinero por debajo de la mesa.They paid him money under the table.
- Pasaron el dinero por debajo de la mesa.They passed the money under the table.
- Todo se hizo por debajo de la mesa.Everything was done under the table.
- No quiero negocios por debajo de la mesa.I don't want under-the-table deals.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a suspicious business deal.
- Daniel¿Es un trato legal, Sofía?Is it a legal deal, Sofía?
- SofíaNo, parece que es por debajo de la mesa.No, it looks like it is under the table.
- DanielEso me preocupa mucho.That worries me a lot.
- SofíaTienes razón, Daniel.You are right, Daniel.
